IRP Support

The information on this page is provided in support of the Integrated Resource Plans.

2019 Integrated Resource Plan – Studies

2019 Demand-Side Resource Potential Assessment

To improve the analysis, planning and delivery of demand-side management resources (DSM), the Company completes a system wide study to identify the potential of demand-side management resources and their related costs over a 20 year horizon. The study is designed to assist with the planning and modeling efforts of our Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and as a result is generally updated every two to three years for relevancy. Links to the 2019 study and related documents are below.

To improve the analysis, planning and delivery of demand-side management resources (DSM), the Company completes a system wide study to identify the potential of demand-side management resources and their related costs over a 20 year horizon. The study is designed to assist with the planning and modeling efforts of our Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and as a result is generally updated every two to three years for relevancy. Links to the 2019 study and related documents are below.

Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company (BMcD) evaluated various renewable energy resources in support of the development of PacifiCorp’s 2019 Integrated Resource Plan. The Renewable Resources Assessment is screening-level in nature and includes a comparison of technical capabilities, capital costs, and O&M costs that are representative of renewable energy and storage technologies. It is the understanding of BMcD that this will be used as preliminary information in support of PacifiCorp’s long-term power supply planning process. Any technologies of interest to PacifiCorp should be followed by additional detailed studies to further investigate each technology and its direct application within PacifiCorp’s long-term plans.

Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company (BMcD) evaluated various renewable energy resources in support of the development of PacifiCorp’s 2019 Integrated Resource Plan. The Renewable Resources Assessment is screening-level in nature and includes a comparison of technical capabilities, capital costs, and O&M costs that are representative of renewable energy and storage technologies. It is the understanding of BMcD that this will be used as preliminary information in support of PacifiCorp’s long-term power supply planning process. Any technologies of interest to PacifiCorp should be followed by additional detailed studies to further investigate each technology and its direct application within PacifiCorp’s long-term plans.

The Gas-Fueled Supply-Side Resource Table Update was performed by Black & Veatch in support of PacifiCorp’s 2019 Integrated Resource Plan. The intent of this study is to provide current market performance, stack emissions, capital cost, non-fuel operations and maintenance (O&M) cost, and unit operational characteristic estimates for various simple cycle (peaker) and combined cycle natural gas-fueled supply-side options. Black & Veatch has drawn on their extensive experience with natural gas-fueled power plant design and construction to provide PacifiCorp with reliable cost and performance estimates reflective of current market trends.

The Gas-Fueled Supply-Side Resource Table Update was performed by Black & Veatch in support of PacifiCorp’s 2019 Integrated Resource Plan. The intent of this study is to provide current market performance, stack emissions, capital cost, non-fuel operations and maintenance (O&M) cost, and unit operational characteristic estimates for various simple cycle (peaker) and combined cycle natural gas-fueled supply-side options. Black & Veatch has drawn on their extensive experience with natural gas-fueled power plant design and construction to provide PacifiCorp with reliable cost and performance estimates reflective of current market trends.

Navigant Consulting, Inc. prepared this Private Generation Long-Term Resource Assessment on behalf of PacifiCorp. The study is an update to work Navigant performed to support the 2017 Integrated Resource Plan, incorporating updated information on technology cost, performance, incentives, and market conditions. The purpose of this study is to project the level of private generation resources PacifiCorp’s customers might install over the next twenty years under low, base, and high penetration scenarios.

Navigant Consulting, Inc. prepared this Private Generation Long-Term Resource Assessment on behalf of PacifiCorp. The study is an update to work Navigant performed to support the 2017 Integrated Resource Plan, incorporating updated information on technology cost, performance, incentives, and market conditions. The purpose of this study is to project the level of private generation resources PacifiCorp’s customers might install over the next twenty years under low, base, and high penetration scenarios.

2017 Integrated Resource Plan – Studies

2017 Demand-Side Resource Potential Assessment

To improve the analysis, planning and delivery of demand-side management resources (DSM), the Company completes a systemwide study to identify the potential of demand-side management resources and their related costs over a 20 year horizon. The study is designed to assist with the planning and modeling efforts of our Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and as a result is generally updated every two to three years for relevancy. Links to the 2017 study and related documents are below.

To improve the analysis, planning and delivery of demand-side management resources (DSM), the Company completes a systemwide study to identify the potential of demand-side management resources and their related costs over a 20 year horizon. The study is designed to assist with the planning and modeling efforts of our Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and as a result is generally updated every two to three years for relevancy. Links to the 2017 study and related documents are below.

The 2017 IRP Flexible Reserve Study (“FRS”) estimates the regulation reserve required to maintain PacifiCorp’s system reliability and comply with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (“NERC”) reliability standards as well as the incremental cost of this regulation reserve. The FRS also compares PacifiCorp’s overall operating reserve requirements, including both regulation reserve and contingency reserve, to its flexible resource supply over the IRP study period.

The Technical Review Committee (TRC) includes independent individuals who have some knowledge and expertise in wind integration studies, can bring insights gained in previous work, have an interest in seeing the studies conducted using the best available data and methods, and who will stay actively engaged throughout the process. Below is the TRC memo providing an assessment of the 2017 IRP FRS.

The 2017 IRP Flexible Reserve Study (“FRS”) estimates the regulation reserve required to maintain PacifiCorp’s system reliability and comply with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (“NERC”) reliability standards as well as the incremental cost of this regulation reserve. The FRS also compares PacifiCorp’s overall operating reserve requirements, including both regulation reserve and contingency reserve, to its flexible resource supply over the IRP study period.

The Technical Review Committee (TRC) includes independent individuals who have some knowledge and expertise in wind integration studies, can bring insights gained in previous work, have an interest in seeing the studies conducted using the best available data and methods, and who will stay actively engaged throughout the process. Below is the TRC memo providing an assessment of the 2017 IRP FRS.

The planning reserve margin (PRM), measured as a percentage of coincident system peak load, is a parameter used in resource planning to ensure there are adequate resources to meet forecasted load over time. PacifiCorp selects a PRM for use in its resource planning by studying the relationship between cost and reliability among ten different PRM levels, accounting for variability and uncertainty in load and generation resources. Costs include capital and run-rate fixed costs for new resources required to achieve ten different PRM levels, ranging from 11 percent to 20 percent, along with system production costs (fuel and non-fuel variable operating costs, contract costs, and market purchases). In analyzing reliability, PacifiCorp performed a stochastic loss of load study using the Planning and Risk production cost simulation model to calculate the reliability metrics for each PRM level.

The planning reserve margin (PRM), measured as a percentage of coincident system peak load, is a parameter used in resource planning to ensure there are adequate resources to meet forecasted load over time. PacifiCorp selects a PRM for use in its resource planning by studying the relationship between cost and reliability among ten different PRM levels, accounting for variability and uncertainty in load and generation resources. Costs include capital and run-rate fixed costs for new resources required to achieve ten different PRM levels, ranging from 11 percent to 20 percent, along with system production costs (fuel and non-fuel variable operating costs, contract costs, and market purchases). In analyzing reliability, PacifiCorp performed a stochastic loss of load study using the Planning and Risk production cost simulation model to calculate the reliability metrics for each PRM level.

Navigant Consulting, Inc. prepared this Private Generation Long-Term Resource Assessment on behalf of PacifiCorp. The study is an update to work Navigant performed to support the 2015 Integrated Resource Plan, incorporating updated information on technology cost, performance, incentives, and market conditions. The purpose of this study is to project the level of private generation resources PacifiCorp’s customers might install over the next twenty years under low, base, and high penetration scenarios.

Navigant Consulting, Inc. prepared this Private Generation Long-Term Resource Assessment on behalf of PacifiCorp. The study is an update to work Navigant performed to support the 2015 Integrated Resource Plan, incorporating updated information on technology cost, performance, incentives, and market conditions. The purpose of this study is to project the level of private generation resources PacifiCorp’s customers might install over the next twenty years under low, base, and high penetration scenarios.

Black and Veatch (B&V) prepared this Bulk Energy Storage Study for PacifiCorp’s 2017 Integrated Resource Plan. The study is an update to work HDR Navigant performed to support the 2015 Integrated Resource Plan, incorporating updated information on three pumped hydro energy storage projects and a compressed air energy storage project within PacifiCorp’s territory. The scope of this Energy Storage Study is update information on commercially available utility-scale energy storage technologies, and to define their applications, performance characteristics, and estimated capital and operating costs.

Black and Veatch (B&V) prepared this Bulk Energy Storage Study for PacifiCorp’s 2017 Integrated Resource Plan. The study is an update to work HDR Navigant performed to support the 2015 Integrated Resource Plan, incorporating updated information on three pumped hydro energy storage projects and a compressed air energy storage project within PacifiCorp’s territory. The scope of this Energy Storage Study is update information on commercially available utility-scale energy storage technologies, and to define their applications, performance characteristics, and estimated capital and operating costs.

DNV-GL’s battery energy storage study provides PacifiCorp with a catalog of commercially available and emerging battery energy storage technologies with forecasts and estimates for both performance and costs. To further support PacifiCorp’s bi-annual IRP, DNV GL has produced probabilistic cost graphs for each of the proposed technologies, broken out by technology, energy conversion system, controls, and the remaining balance of system.

DNV-GL’s battery energy storage study provides PacifiCorp with a catalog of commercially available and emerging battery energy storage technologies with forecasts and estimates for both performance and costs. To further support PacifiCorp’s bi-annual IRP, DNV GL has produced probabilistic cost graphs for each of the proposed technologies, broken out by technology, energy conversion system, controls, and the remaining balance of system.

2015 Integrated Resource Plan – Studies

2014 Report on Irrigation Time-of-Use Pilot

Action item 7b of the 2013 IRP called for development of a pilot program in Oregon for a Class 3 irrigation time-of-use program. PacifiCorp filed a report with the Public Utility Commission of Oregon on December 1, 2014 discussing the implementation and results of this pilot program.

Action item 7b of the 2013 IRP called for development of a pilot program in Oregon for a Class 3 irrigation time-of-use program. PacifiCorp filed a report with the Public Utility Commission of Oregon on December 1, 2014 discussing the implementation and results of this pilot program.

To improve the analysis, planning and delivery of demand-side management resources (DSM), the Company completes a systemwide study to identify the potential of demand-side management resources and their related costs over a 20 year horizon. The study is designed to assist with the planning and modeling efforts of our Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and as a result is generally updated every two to three years for relevancy. Links to the 2015 study and related documents are below.

To improve the analysis, planning and delivery of demand-side management resources (DSM), the Company completes a systemwide study to identify the potential of demand-side management resources and their related costs over a 20 year horizon. The study is designed to assist with the planning and modeling efforts of our Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and as a result is generally updated every two to three years for relevancy. Links to the 2015 study and related documents are below.

The purpose of the Wind Integration Study (WIS) is to estimate the operating reserves required to both maintain PacifiCorp’s system reliability and comply with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards. The WIS estimates the operating reserve volume, in addition to contingency reserves, required to manage load and wind generation variation in PacifiCorp’s Balancing Authority Areas and estimates the incremental cost of these operating reserves.

The Technical Review Committee (TRC) includes independent individuals who have some knowledge and expertise in wind integration studies, can bring insights gained in previous work, have an interest in seeing the studies conducted using the best available data and methods, and who will stay actively engaged throughout the process. Below is the TRC memo providing an assessment of the 2014 Wind Integration Study.

The purpose of the Wind Integration Study (WIS) is to estimate the operating reserves required to both maintain PacifiCorp’s system reliability and comply with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards. The WIS estimates the operating reserve volume, in addition to contingency reserves, required to manage load and wind generation variation in PacifiCorp’s Balancing Authority Areas and estimates the incremental cost of these operating reserves.

The Technical Review Committee (TRC) includes independent individuals who have some knowledge and expertise in wind integration studies, can bring insights gained in previous work, have an interest in seeing the studies conducted using the best available data and methods, and who will stay actively engaged throughout the process. Below is the TRC memo providing an assessment of the 2014 Wind Integration Study.

The planning reserve margin (PRM), measured as a percentage of coincident system peak load, is a parameter used in resource planning to ensure there are adequate resources to meet forecasted load over time. PacifiCorp selects a PRM for use in its resource planning by studying the relationship between cost and reliability among ten different PRM levels, accounting for variability and uncertainty in load and generation resources. Costs include capital and run-rate fixed costs for new resources required to achieve ten different PRM levels, ranging from 11 percent to 20 percent, along with system production costs (fuel and non-fuel variable operating costs, contract costs, and market purchases). In analyzing reliability, PacifiCorp performed a stochastic loss of load study using the Planning and Risk production cost simulation model to calculate the reliability metrics for each PRM level.

The planning reserve margin (PRM), measured as a percentage of coincident system peak load, is a parameter used in resource planning to ensure there are adequate resources to meet forecasted load over time. PacifiCorp selects a PRM for use in its resource planning by studying the relationship between cost and reliability among ten different PRM levels, accounting for variability and uncertainty in load and generation resources. Costs include capital and run-rate fixed costs for new resources required to achieve ten different PRM levels, ranging from 11 percent to 20 percent, along with system production costs (fuel and non-fuel variable operating costs, contract costs, and market purchases). In analyzing reliability, PacifiCorp performed a stochastic loss of load study using the Planning and Risk production cost simulation model to calculate the reliability metrics for each PRM level.

The capacity contribution of wind and solar resources, represented as a percentage of resource capacity, is a measure of the ability for these resources to reliably meet demand. For purposes of this report, PacifiCorp defines the peak capacity contribution of wind and solar resources as the availability among hours with the highest loss of load probability. PacifiCorp calculated peak capacity contribution values for wind and solar resources using the capacity factor approximation method as outlined in a 2012 report produced by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

The capacity contribution of wind and solar resources, represented as a percentage of resource capacity, is a measure of the ability for these resources to reliably meet demand. For purposes of this report, PacifiCorp defines the peak capacity contribution of wind and solar resources as the availability among hours with the highest loss of load probability. PacifiCorp calculated peak capacity contribution values for wind and solar resources using the capacity factor approximation method as outlined in a 2012 report produced by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Harris Group Incorporated was engaged by PacifiCorp to assess the magnitude of the potential electrical power generation from dairy waste in the State of Washington. The purpose of the assessment is to evaluate the potential for inclusion of the dairy resource in PacifiCorp’s 2015 Integrated Resource Plan.

Harris Group Incorporated was engaged by PacifiCorp to assess the magnitude of the potential electrical power generation from dairy waste in the State of Washington. The purpose of the assessment is to evaluate the potential for inclusion of the dairy resource in PacifiCorp’s 2015 Integrated Resource Plan.

HDR Engineering (HDR) was retained by PacifiCorp Energy (PacifiCorp) to perform an Energy Storage Study to support PacifiCorp’s 2013 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) intended to evaluate a portfolio of generating resources and energy storage options. This report has been updated for the 2015 IRP. The scope of this Energy Storage Study is to develop a current catalog of commercially available utility-scale and distributed scale energy storage technologies, and to define their applications, performance characteristics, and estimated capital and operating costs. The information presented in this report has been gathered from public and private documentation, studies, reports, and project data of energy storage systems and technologies.

HDR Engineering (HDR) was retained by PacifiCorp Energy (PacifiCorp) to perform an Energy Storage Study to support PacifiCorp’s 2013 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) intended to evaluate a portfolio of generating resources and energy storage options. This report has been updated for the 2015 IRP. The scope of this Energy Storage Study is to develop a current catalog of commercially available utility-scale and distributed scale energy storage technologies, and to define their applications, performance characteristics, and estimated capital and operating costs. The information presented in this report has been gathered from public and private documentation, studies, reports, and project data of energy storage systems and technologies.

Navigant Consulting, Inc. prepared this Distributed Generation Resource Assessment for Long-term Planning Study on behalf of PacifiCorp. A key objective of this research is to assist PacifiCorp in developing distributed generation resource penetration forecasts to support its 2015 Integrated Resource Plan. The purpose of this study is to project the level of distributed resources PacifiCorp’s customers might install over the next twenty years.

Navigant Consulting, Inc. prepared this Distributed Generation Resource Assessment for Long-term Planning Study on behalf of PacifiCorp. A key objective of this research is to assist PacifiCorp in developing distributed generation resource penetration forecasts to support its 2015 Integrated Resource Plan. The purpose of this study is to project the level of distributed resources PacifiCorp’s customers might install over the next twenty years.

2013 Integrated Resouce Plan Update

2013 IRP - Appendix C Energy Analysis Additional Appendices

Appendix C in the 2013 Integrated Resource Plan Update is an Energy Analysis Report. This report is an assessment of the wholly owned PacifiCorp Energy generation facilities to determine possible areas for energy efficiency improvements. The appendix materials for this report are a series of studies completed by Evergreen Consulting Group and provided in the links below.

Appendix C in the 2013 Integrated Resource Plan Update is an Energy Analysis Report. This report is an assessment of the wholly owned PacifiCorp Energy generation facilities to determine possible areas for energy efficiency improvements. The appendix materials for this report are a series of studies completed by Evergreen Consulting Group and provided in the links below.